Doctors had placed him in an induced coma while waiting to see how he responded to treatment, the prosecutor added.

His 39-year-old female partner was also badly burned on the hands and face, while two other officers who arrived as backup received minor injuries.

Both police cars were completely gutted by fire.

Photo: AFP

The officers were patrolling a traffic junction next to a notorious high-rise estate, where robbers have repeatedly targeted passing motorists.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the culprits would be "relentlessly pursued and brought to justice. At a time when the security forces are bravely responding to the (terrorist) threats facing our country, such intolerable acts call for exemplary sanctions".

The French police have complained of being increasingly under attack -- from jihadists, ordinary criminals and hooded youths who have clashed with police during recent demonstrations over labour reforms.

Alain Juppe, the favourite to win the conservative nomination for president in next year's elections, tweeted his solidarity with the victims of Saturday's attack.

"A strong state is a state that does not back away, that ends (the existence) of lawless areas," he wrote.